Electrically actuated contacting device



Nov. 15, 1960 J. L. RUSSELL ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED CONTACTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 22, 195'! 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .I. L. RUSSELL ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED CONTACTING DEVICE Nov. 15, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 22, 1957 V. 1 19 J. L. RUSSELL ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED CONTACTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 22, 1957 PIC-3.9

Patented Nov. 15, 1950 ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED CONTACTING DEVICE John L. Russell, Waterbury, Cnn., assignor to The Bristol Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Corn necticut Filed Nov. 22, 1957, Ser. No. 698,208

19 Claims. (Cl. 200-90) This invention relates to electrically actuated contactors and, more especially, to a form of contactor commonly called a chopper adapted for synchronously interrupting electric circuits at a relatively high rate.

Modern usage of devices of this class, for example in the instrumentation of aircraft and missiles, has imposed the most rigorous requirements not only in the direction of high speeds of operation, but also with respect to minimum size and weight, immunity from efiects of shock and vibration, more effective shielding from external electromagnetic and electrostatic fields, minimizing of thermal eifects, and ability to operate at higher contact voltages. I have disclosed and claimed in a copending application filed June 14, 1955, Serial No. 515,- 373, assigned to the assignee of the present application, now US. Patent No. 2,866,028; a contactor device of this class in which considerable improvement along the aforesaid lines has been accomplished. I have found that further substantial unique improvements as well as advantages are attained in accordance with my present invention.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a contacting device of small and compact form, especially well suited for use in systems wherein it is essential that the size and weight of component parts be minimized, and achieving a high degree of magnetic and electrical efficiency.

It is a further object to provide a device of the above class having a relatively large contact separation, hence permitting synchronous interruption of relatively high voltages,

It is still another object to provide a device of the above class in which, while the moving element is subjected to both unidirectional and alternating magnetic fluxes, the permanent magnets, or other means by which the former flux is produced, is not subjected to an alternating magnetomotive force.

It is a further object to provide a device of the above class comprising a balanced structure, the operation of which is essentially unaffected by position, by shock, or by accelerations associated with rapid movements.

It is a still further object to provide a device of the above class having balanced magnetic flux paths enclosing the armature and the energizing coil in a manner to divert impinging external electromagnetic field flux, thereby eflectively eliminating biasing effects on the working system and avoiding dependence on magnetically shielding enclosures for accomplishing this purpose.

It is another object to provide a contacting device of the above class adaptable for single-pole or double-pole, double-throw contact arrangements.

It is still another object to provide a device of the above class which is rugged, durable in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and suited to production on a quantity basis.

Further objects as well as advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings of an exemplary embodiment thereof, in which Figure l is an isometric exploded view of the parts of a contactor constructed according to my invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of operation of the device;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device assembled and mounted within a sealed enclosure;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the retaining ring;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view through the line 66 in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the line 77 in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is an elevational view, partially in section, on an enlarged scale of a pair of the contact members shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is an elevational view showing a modification of the polar members.

Referring now to the drawings and to Figure 1 in particular, the structure is assembled stack-wise on two bolt members 11 and 12. Insulating sleeves 11A and 12A provide for electrical isolation of various members from the bolts and on assembly, the various members are retained by nuts 9 and 10 applied to these bolts. The stacked elements are disposed on the mounting bolts symmetrically on either side of a central armature member 13. The outer elements of the stack are G-shaped pole-pieces 14 and 15 made of laminated transformer iron or similar magnetic material. Riveted to these are cross arms 16 and 17 of nonmagnetic material drilled to receive the insulated mounting bolts 11 and 12 and fix the relative positions of the stacked elements. Next in order in the stack is a U-shaped, double-forked, mounting bracket 18, the forked elements, shown broken apart in Figure 1, being actually joined at the bottom of the bracket as shown in Figure 3 and having a riveting hole therein for fastening to a base member as described hereinafter. Spacer members 19, 20, 21, 22, and also 23, 24, 25, 26 serve to locate fixed contact assemblies 27, 28, 29, 30 with respect to the other parts of the structure, and insulating washers 31 to 38, inclusive, of thin sheet mica or similar insulating material, serve to isolate these contact members electrically from the rest of the structure. These contact assemblies will be described in detail hereinafter.

The centrally disposed movable armature member 13 is a generally inverted T-shaped member consisting of a stem portion and a broadened crosspiece portion 51 formed of magnetic material such as transformer iron. Preferably, but not necessarily, this is formed of two identical plates joined together, and between them is sandwiched a sheet of thin resilient material of more or less the same shape, except for projections, or tabs, 5253, protruding from the upper side of each arm of crosspiece 51. On assembly, these tabs are included in the bolted stack and form hinges or flexure members providing pivot points for the movable armature member.

It may be observed here with reference to this armature structure that, in practice, it is preferred to design it for operation either in a resonant or non-resonant condition. When operated at or near resonance, temperature effects on the flexure pivots will, of course, cause significant shifts in the point of resonance, in which case the resilient material may be chosen with the property of constant modulus of elasticity, such as the nickel-iron alloy Ni-Span C (a trademark of the International Nickel Co., Inc., New York, New York).

On each of the outer portions of the crosspiece 51 are fixed contact members 54 and 55 formed of suitable contact materials, preferably of the precious-metal class.

These are of a U-shape, bent over the edge of the armature crosspiece 51 so as to expose a continuous contact surface on both sides of the armature. The contact surface of contact member 54 is adapted to make contact with either one of oppositely disposed fixed contacts 27, 2 9 juxtaposed thereto. Similarly, the contact surface of contact member 55 is adapted to make contact with either one of oppositely disposed fixed contacts 28, 38 juxtaposed thereto. The contact members 54- and 55 are insulated from the armature andeach other by interposed barrier members 56 and 57 of insulating material, in each case, the contact and insulator being cemented together 'and'tolthe armature. Qonnections hetweenthe moving contacts 54 and 55 and fixed circuit elements are made through resilientlooped wires 58 and .59, respectively. On assembly, the upper loops of these wires are clamped between insulating pins 72, thereby preventing damaging 'vibrations in unsupported connecting leads.

Energizing or driving coil 60 fits over stem portion 50 of the armature 13, the center hole therein permitting freedom of movement of thisstem as determined by pivot members 52 and 53. On assembly, the coil rests on the stacked elements, with a thin, metallic, electrostatic shield member 65 interposed, and is enclosed on two sides within the upper portions of the C-shaped pole-pieces 14 and 15. The coil form on which the coil 60 is wound is formed with an upper end 64 of enlarged diameter with holes through which connecting leads may be threaded and with cut-out portions to receive the pole pieces 14 and 15 on assembly.

Permanent magnets 61 and 62 of C-shape in cross section are disposed in the assembly with like poles juxtaposed, enclosing the exposed portions of the energizing coil 60, and making physical contact with the edges of the upper portions of C-shaped members 14 and 15.

A strap member 14A of non-magnetic material joins the upper ends of the two C-shaped pole pieces 14 and 15 for the purpose of fixing'the dimensions of the air-gap formed by the juxtaposition'of the polar members at this point. This strap is riveted'or welded to the pole pieces and is of sufiicient resilience to permit bending as required in assembly operations.

The fixed contact members 27, 28, 29 and 30 are most clearly shown in Figure 8 in which onev set only is shown, 28 and 30. In the double-pole double-throw embodiment under consideration, the corresponding set of fixed contacts, 27 and 29, isidentical in 'form and symmetrically placed in the stack structure as shown most clearly in Figure 7. "In Figure 8 the view is a vertical cross-section through the armature showing'the elements of the stacked assembly physically adjacent to the one set of fixed and movable contacts shown segregated from the rest of the structure for convenience. The contact assemblies 28 and '30 areplaced on opposite sides of the armature 51 and Separated respectively from it by spacer 24- and spacer 26. Insulator 3.6 is interposed between spacer 24 and contact assembly 28 and insulator 38 is interposed between spacer 26 and contact assembly 30 to provide electrical isolation from the'armature. On the sides of the contact assemblies away from the armature 13, the contact assemblies '28 and 30 are spaced and insulated with respect to otherparts by spacers 20 and 22 respectively and insulators 32 and 34 respectively. The bolt 12 and insulating sleeve 12A providesupport for the several parts as shown.

The fixed contact assembly '28, for example, consists of the rigid supporting member 286 and resilient spring member 282 of brass or similar conductive material, the latter being riveted to the former by rivet 281 at a point spaced away from the stacked assembly. To the outer end of the resilient member, the contact button 283 is riveted or welded and is of a material suitable to the requirements of electrical contacts such as well-known alloys of the platinum group. .The supporting member 286 is formed with two transversely-cut notches 284 and 285, the one spaced from and on the side of rivet 281 toward the free end of the supporting member and the other located between the rivet 281 and adjacent elements of the stacked assembly. These notches conveniently serve to localize bends made in the supporting member 286 for adjustment purposes. On assembly, the outer end of the support member 286 is given a slight bend at the notch 284 in a direction toward the resilient spring member 282 thereby deflecting the springmember and placing it in an initially stressed condition. The existence of this force due to prestressing the fixed .contact is useful in regulating and minimizing undesirable effects such as contact bounce from the impact of the movable contact 55 under operating conditions. The support member 286 is bent about the second notch 285 whereby to adjust independently as desired the spacing of the contact 283 with respect to the armature contact 55 without alteration of the prestressed state of the contact button. The corresponding parts of contact assembly 30 are designated in Figure 8 by reference characters having the same sufiix .nurneral as those described in connection with contact assembly 28 .and with 30 as a prefix. Similarly, the corresponding parts of contact assemblies 27 and 29 are designated in Figure 7 by reference characters which include the prefix 27 and 29 respectively.

A plug-in bayonet type base member is provided with'insulated lead-ins 81 of conventional design. Mounting bracket 18 holding the contactor structure is fixed to base 88 by a rivet 82. Enclosure 83 envelopes the structure and is soldered or otherwise sealed to the base memher 88. Since shielding from external fields is provided for by other means hereinafter described, the enclosure may be of a non-magnetic material'to provide solely for hermetic sealing of the device. The base 80 may be of metal through which conducting pins 81 are sealed by glass, ceramic or other insulating material.

A resilient retaining ring member 85 placed between the top of'the mount assembly and the enclosure member 83 holds the contactor structure in fixed relation to the enclosure. Ring 85 is shown in detail in Figure 4. It consists of a metallic ring 92, the end of which is rolled or spun over to form a lip portion 91. The ring portion 92 is partly formed into curvate tabs 93 which are flared and curved to form approximately tangential projections. The unit structure is formed of a thin resilient-metal such as spring brass. On assembly the retaining ring is slipped over the top of the contactor structure and the lip 91 rests on the enlarged upper face of coil form 64. The enclosure 83 is then fitted over the spring tab projections 93, and as the enclosure is pushed down, the spring tabs register with an inwardly extending annular projection 86 formed in the enclosure 83 which forces the tabs 93 into frictional engagement with the permanent magnets, gripping them and the assembly embraced thereby rigidly, thus fixing the relation of parts to the outer shell and inhibiting undesirable vibrations of the contactor structure. A second and somewhat deeper inwardly extending annular projection 96 formed in the enclosure wall above the first such projection 86 prevents longitudinal movement of the retaining ring 85 which would tend to move the said ring out of engagement with the contactor structure.

As an aid to the understanding of the principle of my invention, Figure 2 is included to show diagrammatically the structure and magnetic circuit of the embodiment hereinbefore described. Though shown diagrammatically, the parts shown in Figure 2 are designated by the same reference characters applied to corresponding parts in the other views of the drawings.

Parallel magnetic paths of low reluctance, one formed by pole-piece 14 and the other formed by pole-piece 15, lead from the permanentmagnets 61, 62 to thev two air gaps, .or.interspaces,.,1t 4, in.op erative relation to which is disposed the movable armature 13 adapted for limited rotary oscillation about an axis indicated at 13A extending between the pivots formed by tabs 52, 53. The upper arms of polar members 14 and 15 are juxtaposed to define the interspace 105 to which the upper end of armature 13 closely approaches but does not enter. The lower arms of the members 14 and 15 in juxtaposed relation also define an interspace 104 through which the lower portion of the armature passes. Only one, contact member 55, of the two borne by armature 13 is shown in Figure 2 and it engages alternately corresponding fixed contact members 28 and 31). The energizing coil 60 surrounds the armature near the upper end, allowing movement of the armature therein, and is itself enclosed within the fixed magnetic circuit elements 14, 15, 61 and 62. For simplicity the single pair of fixed contacts 283t) and the armature contact 55 are only shown in Figure 2.

Important advantages of the present invention resulting from the improved linear relationship between armature deflection and the force required to move the armature may be best appreciated by reference to Figure 2. In principle, due to the symmetrical arrangement, the armature under the influence of the permanent field alone, remains centrally aligned with respect to the air gaps. With the energizing coil 60 energized, it will be apparent that alternating flux will traverse the armature and, depending upon relative polarities, will interact with the permanent field flux in the air gaps to cause the arm ture 13 to move in one direction or the other. It may be observed, qualitatively, that it is the inherent property of the relation of the armatures and pole pieces at the end of the structure at which the armature extends through the air gap 1%, that the movement of the armature toward the pole to which it is attracted is such as to change the length of the air gap, between them, holding meanwhile the gap areas substantially constant. At the same time, at the other end of the structure where the armature is juxtaposed to the fixed pole pieces but does not enter the interspace therebetween, the movement of the armature toward the pole to which it is attracted is such as to change the effective area of the air gap between them while maintaining the length of the gap substantially constant. Recalling now that the attractive force or pull of a magnet on a movable armature is a function of the derivative of the energy in the air gap with respect to distance therebetween, it will be apparent in the former case that the concentration of flux lines, or energy, in the air gap 1114 will increase non-linearly with the movement of the armature from a minimum value at the position of symmetry and thereby, correspondingly, increase the attractive force. In the latter case the concentration of flux lines, or energy, in the effective air gap 105 will be at a maximum at the point of symmetry and as the armature moves toward the pole toward which it is attracted the useful energy decreases in a non-linear manner to a minimum as the armature approaches the said pole. Thus the force will, at one end, vary in the opposite sense from that affecting the other end of the armature and together they will tend toward an overall linear force acting on the moving armature. The above relationships are sumcient for purposes of qualitative explanation. A precise, quantitative explanation involves highly complex factors which would unnecessarily burden the present description. However, it is to be noted that these characteristics offset one another and their net effect has been found to provide a more linear relation between armature deflection and the force required to move the armature. The fact that the air gaps in the magnetic circuit are readily controllable in this design makes possible the balancing of the above effects for most efficient operation. Also, since in practice contactors of this type are commonly used at frequencies at or near the resonant frequency, the controllability of mechanical circuit constants and the proportioning of the armature structure makes 6 readily possible the adaptation of the armature to a con dition of saturation at the desired extreme positions of travel.

This linearity has been found to have important advantages especially on efliciency of operation. Qualitatively, efficiency of a chopper of this class may be stated as a function of the extent to which the wave form of the energizing voltage coincides with the wave form of the generated counter electromotive force. Since this counter electromotive force is largely produced as a result of the rate of change of field flux, it is thus directly related to the rate of change of reluctance due to armature oscillation. High efiiciency in this design has been accomplished by (a) the balanced armature disposed in compensatory relation with respect to air gaps, (b) providing low reluctance paths for field flux wholly through iron, except for operational air gaps, and (c) provision for relatively liberal size of magnets for the permanent magnetic field. Concomitant to the achievement of high values of efficiency in this design, an important and desirable effect is the reduction in physical size of the structure to a minimum. Furthermore, minimizing of the power required by the driving coil which results therefrom minimizes also heating effects of the coil and disturbing effects of the current in the lead-in conductors. Still another advantage is the increased armature travel and contact pressures permitted by the greater efficiency of operation. The greater travel is immediately reflected in higher permissible contact voltages resulting in a greater range of practical applicability of this device.

The spurious effect of impinging external electromagnetic fields are dealt with by favorably locating the magnetic circuit elements with respect to the energizing coil and the armature, the coil being essentially surrounded, and the armature paralleled thereby. In particular, there are provided low reluctance paths in shunt relation to the ends of the armature which thus reduce the tendency of the spurious flux values to flow lengthwise through the armature and produce unsymmetrcal biasing efiects thereupon. Necessity for further enclosure by electromagnetic shielding is thus avoided with the concomitant benefit of avoiding the weakening effect on the permanent magnets of additional ferromagnetic shielding members. Permanent enclosure may be accomplished by using nonmagnetic materials.

Furthermore, the balanced mechanical design has been found to be particularly immune from spurious operation under condition of shock or vbration by reason of the symmetrical distribution of mass about the pivot points of the armature.

While, to be sure, the hereinbefore described compensatory effect of the forces of attraction between the two ends of the armature and the associated pole pieces may be fully realized in the form illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 it should be noted that by sacrifice to a more or less degree of the full compensatory effect certain practical advantages may be gained. For example, air gap 194 may be increased to the point of eliminating completely the lower horizontal portions of the polar members 14 and 15. Referring now to Figure 9, polar members 114 and correspond respectively to members 14 and 15, differing therefrom only in that they are L- shaped rather than C-shaped. The device when assembled with members 114 and 115 therein replacing members 14 and 15, respectively, differs from that shown in Figure 3 only in that the air gap 104 now extends entirely across the space between the lower extremities of the elongated, longitudinal portions of polar members 114 and 115 as viewed in Figure 9. It has been found that the loss in efficiency of operation by this simple modification may be considered compensated for by the practical advantage of easier assembly and the further advantage that the strip member 14a may be made rigid thereby firmly establishing the critical air gap 105. Meanwhile all other structural features of this device are unchanged and the hereinbefore recited advantages are retained.

Subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein is claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 41,354 filed July 7, 1960.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used'as terms of description andrnot of limitation, and there is-no'intention, in the use ofsuch terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible Within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. In an electrically actuated contacting device, means for providing a unidirectional magnetic field including a pair of oppositely disposed polar structures supported in spaced relation in said field and forming a pair of therebetween, an armature member having one end pcrtion thereof extending in one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, means supporting said armature member for movement about a transverse axis spaced from said ends thereof so that each of the ends of said armature member isdisplaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member moves about its pivot, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and cause the same to oscillate in said magnetic field about said axis.

2. In an electrically actuated contacting device, means for providing a unidirectional magnetic field including a pair of polar structures symmetrically disposed in said field in spaced relation along opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and forming a pair of gaps therebetween spaced along .said axis, an armature member extending along said axis having one end portion thereof extending in one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, means supporting said armature member for movement about a transverse axis spaced from said ends thereof so that each of the ends of said armature member is displaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member moves about said transverse axis, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and cause the same to oscillate in said magnetic field about said transverse axis, whereby the value of the attractive force between the armature member and the polar structures approached at opposite ends thereof varies in opposite directions.

3. An electrically actuated contacting device, comprising means for providing a unidirectional magnetic field, a pair of oppositely disposed polar structures supported in spaced relation in said field and forming a pair of gaps therebetween, an armature member having one end portion thereof extending in one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, means pivotally supporting said armature'member intermediate the ends thereof so that each of the ends of said armature member is displaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member is rotated through an arc about its transverse axis, a pair of first contacts, a second contact movably mounted for alternative displacement into engagement With one or the other of said first contacts in accordance with the direction in which said armature member is rotated about said axis, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member.

4. An electrically actuated contacting device, comprising means for providing a unidirectional magnetic field, a pair of polar structures symmetrically disposed in said field in spaced relation along opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and forming a pair of gaps therebetween along said axis, an armature member, means pivotally supporting said armature member along said axis centrally between said polar structures with one end portion of said armature member extending in one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, said armature member being pivotal about an axis thereof spaced from the ends thereof and transverse to said longitudinal axis so that each of the ends of said armature member is displaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member is rotated, at least one pair of fixed contacts disposed in spaced relation on opposite sides of said armature member, a movable contact mounted for alternative displacement into engagement with one or the other of said fixed contacts in accordance with the direction in Which said armature member is rotated, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member.

5. An electrically actuated contacting device, comprismeans for providing a unidirectional magnetic field, a pair of polar structures symmetrically disposed in said field in spaced relation along opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and forming a pair of gaps therebetween along said axis, an armature member, means pivotally supporting said armature member along said axis centrally between said polar structures with one end portion of said armature member extending in one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, said armature member being pivotal about an axis thereof spaced from the ends thereof and transverse to said longitudinal axis so that each of the ends of said armature member is displaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member is rotated about its pivot, at least one pair of fixed contacts disposed in spaced relation on opposite sides of said armature member, a movable contact mounted for alternative displacement into engagement with one or the other of said fixed contacts in accordance with the direction in which said armature member is moved about its pivot, and electromagnetic means including a coil member surrounding a portion of said armature member and mounted between said polar structures for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member.

6. An electrically actuated contacting device, comprising support means including a U-shaped support bracket, an armature member having an elongated stem portion, a pair of first contacts and a pair of elongated polar structures all connected to said support bracket with said armature member centrally disposed and with one of said first contacts and one of said polar structures spaced from opposite sides of said armature member, said armature member being pivotally mounted for oscillation about a transverse axis thereof spaced from its ends, electromagnetic means for impressing a variable magnetometive force longitudinally upon said armature member and including a coil member surrounding said armature stern portion, magnetomotive means juxtaposed to said polar structures and with the latter surrounding said coil memher, said polar structures defining two gaps one adjacent to each end of said armature member, said armature member having one end portion thereof extending through one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, and a movable contact mounted for alternative displacement into engagement with one or the other of said first contacts in accordance With the direction in which said armature member is pivoted.

7. An electrically actuated contacting device, comprising an envelope including a base, lead-ins insulatively-extending through said envelope, support means including a U-shaped support bracket having its base portion connected to said base, an armature member having an elongated stem portion, a pair of first contacts and a pair of elongated polar structures all connected to said support bracket With said armature member centrally disposed and with one of said first contacts and one of said polar structures spaced from opposite sides of said armature member, said armature member being pivotally mounted lei- 9 for oscillation about a transverse axis thereof spaced from its ends, electromagnetic means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and including a coil member surrounding said armature stem portion, magnetomotive means juxtaposed to said polar structures and with the latter surrounding said coil member, said polar structures defining two gaps one adjacent to each end of said armature member, said magnetomotive means being adapted for maintaining a substantially constant flux in said gaps, said armature member having one end portion thereof extending through one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, a movable contact mounted for alternative displacement into engagement with one or the other of said fixed contacts in accordance with the direction in which said armature member is pivoted, and conductors connecting said contacts and coil to respective ones of said lead-ins.

8. An electrically actuated contactnig device, comprising an envelope including a base, lead-ins insulatively extending through said envelope, support means includ ing a U-shaped support bracket having its base portion connected to said base, an armature member having an elongated stem portion, a pair of first contacts and a pair of elongated polar structures all connected to said support bracket with said armature member centrally disposed and with one of said first contacts and one of said polar structures spaced from opposite sides of said armature member, said armature member being pivotally mounted for oscillation about a transverse axis thereof spaced from its ends, electromagnetic means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and including a coil member surrounding said armature stem portion, magnetomotive means juxtaposed to said polar structures and with the latter surrounding said coil member, resilient means engaging said magnetomotive means and said envelope and urging said magneto-motive means toward said polar structures, said polar structures defining two gaps one adjacent to each end of said armature member, said magnetomotive means being adapted for maintaining a substantially constant flux in said gaps, said armature member having one end portion thereof extending through one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, a movable contact mounted for alternative displacement into engagement with one or the other of said fixed contacts in accordance with the direction in which said armature member is pivoted, and conductors connecting said contacts and coil to respective ones of said lead-ins.

9. An electrically actuated contacting device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said resilient means comprises an annular member having a plurality of resilient arcuate tabs, said tabs having tangentially projecting end portions forming an annular array and median portions engaging said magnetic field means, said envelope having an annular inwardly extending projection enagging said array and urging the same inward.

10. In an electrically actuated contacting device, means for providing a unidirectional magnetic field including a pair of oppositely disposed polar structures supported in spaced relation in said field and forming a pair of gaps therebetween, a T-shaped armature member having one end portion of the longitudinal leg thereof extending in one of said gaps and having the other end of said leg extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, resilient hinge means connected to each of the oppositely extending transverse arms of said T-shaped armature member, means connected to said hinge means and supporting said armature member for movement about an axis transverse to and intermediate the ends of said leg portion so that each of the ends of the leg portion of said armature member is displaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member moves about said transverse axis, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and cause the same to oscillate in said magnetic field about its transverse axis, whereby the value of the attractive force between the armature member and the polar structures approached at opposite ends thereof varies in opposite directions,

11. In an electrically actuated contacting device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said hinge means comprises resilient sheet material having a constant modulus of elasticity.

12. In an electrically actuated contacting device as set forth in claim l0 wherein said T-shaped armature member comprises a pair of registering interconnected T- shaped plates, and said hinge means comprises a generally T-shaped resilient member interposed between said plates and having a pair of tabs one projecting from each f the oppositely extending transverse arm portions of said Tshaped plates toward the remote end of said leg portion.

13. An electrically actuated contacting device, comprising means for providing a unidirectional magnetic field, a pair of oppositely disposed polar structures supported in spaced relation in said field and forming a pair of gaps therebetween, a T-shaped armature member having one end portion of the longitudinal leg thereof extending in one of said gaps and having the other end of said leg extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, a pair of resilient hinge members one connected to each of the oppositely extending transverse arms of said T-shaped armature member, means connected to said hinge members and supporting said armature member for movement about an axis transverse to and intermediate the ends of said leg portion so that each of the ends of said leg portion is displaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member moves about said transverse axis, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and cause the same to oscillate in said magnetic field about its transverse axis, whereby the value of the attractive force between the armature member and the polar structures approached at opposite ends thereof varies in opposite directions, a pair of first contacts, a second contact movably mounted for alternative displacement into engagement with one or the other of said first contacts in accordance with the direction in which said armature member is rotated, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member.

14. An electrically actuated contacting device, comprising means for providing a unidirectional magnetic field, a pair of oppositely disposed polar structures supported in spaced relation in said field and forming a pair of gaps therebetween, a T-shaped armature member having one end portion of the longitudinal leg thereof extending in one of said gaps and having the other end of said leg extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, a pair of resilient hinge members one connected to each of the oppositely extending transverse arms of said T-shaped armature member, means connected to said hinge member and supporting said armature member for movement about an axis transverse to and intermediate the ends of said leg portion so that each of the ends of said leg portion is displaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member moves about said transverse axis, two sets of first contacts each of which comprising two contacts disposed on opposite sides of one of said transverse arms, a pair of second contacts one carried by each of said transverse arms and mounted for alternative engagement with one or the other of said first contacts forming one of said sets in accordance with the direction in which said leg portion is rotated about its transverse axis, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member.

15. An electrically actuated contacting device, comprising support means including a double forked, U-shaped support bracket forming a pair of opposed U-shaped members, a T-shaped armature member having a longitudinally extending leg portion and a pair of oppositely extending transverse arms, two sets of first contacts each of which comprises two contact assemblies, a pair of elongated polar structures, said armaturemember, contact assemblies and polar structures all being connected to said support bracket with said armature member centrally disposed, said two contacts forming each of said sets being juxtaposed to "opposite sides of a respective one of said transversely extending arms of said armature member, said polar structures being in'opposed spaced relation and spaced from opposite sides of said armature member, said armature-member including a pair of resilient hinge members one connected to each ofsaid transverse arms and to said U-shaped support bracket and pivotally connecting said armature member thereto so that the armature member is displaceable about a transverse axis spaced from the ends of said leg portion, electromagnetic means for impressing a variable .magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and including a coil surrounding said leg portion, magnetomotive means juxtaposed to said polar-structures and with the latter surrounding said coil member, said polar structures defining two gaps, one adjacent to each end of the leg portion of said armature member, said armature leg portion having one end thereof extending through one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, and a pair of movable contacts each mounted for alternative displ-acement.with said armature member into engagement with one or the other of said first contacts of one of said sets in accordance with the direction in which said armature member is displaced.

16. In an electrically actuated contacting device, an envelope including a base, a unitary mount assembly comprising a U-shaped mounting bracket having its base portion forming oneend of said mount assembly connected to said base, the other end of said unitary mount assembly extending in said envelope beyond said mounting bracket, magnetomotive means substantially surrounding. said other end portion of said assembly, and resilient means extending between said envelope and said magnetomotive means and urging the latter toward said assembly.

17. In an electrically actuated contacting device, an elongated armature member, a pair of elongated polar members supported in opposed spaced relation on opposite sides of said armature member, means for producing a substantially constant magnetic field juxtaposed to said polar members andforming therewith an enclosure about a portion of said armature member, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and including a Winding within said enclosure and encircling said portion of said armature member.

18. In an electrically actuated contacting device, an elongated armature member, a pair ofelongated polar members supported in opposed spaced relation on opposite sides of said armature member and forming a pair of gaps therebetween adjacent to opposite ends of said armature member, said armature member having one end thereof extending in one of said gaps and the other end thereof extending adjacent to but outside of the other one of said gaps, means supporting said armature member for movement about a transverse axis spaced from the ends thereof so that each of the ends of said armature member is displaced relative to the gap associated therewith as said armature member moves about said axis, means for producing a substantially constant magnetic field juxtaposed to said polar members and forming therewith an enclosure about a portion of said armature member, and means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and including a Winding Within said enclosure and encircling said portion of said armature member, whereby the value of the attractive force between the armature member and the polar members approached at opposite ends thereof varies in opposite directions.

19. In an electrically actuated contacting device, an elongated armature member, means for impressing a variable magnetomotive force longitudinally upon said armature member and including a winding encircling a portion of said armature member with said armature member extending beyond the opposite ends of said winding, a first contact mounted adjacent to one end of said armature member remote from said Winding, elongated low reluctance polar structures supported in opposed spaced relation on opposite sides of said armature member and winding with the end portions of said polar structures extending beyond the opposite ends of said winding, means for producing a substantially constant magnetic field juxtaposed to said polar structures, said polar structures being inter-posed between said constant magnetic field producing means and said armature member and forming parallel low reluctance magnetic flux paths between the portions of said armature extending beyond the opposite ends of said Winding, said polar structures defin- :ing a gap, a second contactmovably mounted for engagementwith said first contact in accordance with the direction in which said armature is displaced, and means supporting said armature for displacement relative to said gap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,997,082 Reynolds Apr. 9, 1935 2,120,273 Barrett June 14, 1938 2,131,789 Sullivan et al Oct. 4, 1938 2,200,064 James May 7, 1940 2,339,973 .Aust Jan. 25, 1944 2,433,740 Collins et al Dec. 30, 1947 2,473,353 Aust June 14, 1949 2,614,188 Williams et al Oct. 14, 1952 2,636,094 Russell Apr. 21, 1953 2,718,570 Caldwell Sept. 20, 1955 2,842,636 Foster July 8, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 143,497 Switzerland I an. 16, 1931 

